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The Peacock Room is ready for it's close-up (http://www.asia.si.edu)
The Smithsonian's Freer Gallery is shaking things up with its Asia After Dark events that bring the party inside the museum, a place that one does not usually associate with nightlife.
This time the theme is Peacock Shock, which gives the museum a chance to highlight Whistler's Peacock Room. The event will give you a chance to let loose inside a museum--dressed in your best peacock-like finery, dancing to music spun by DJs Yellow Fever, watching new wave dance group and MTV's America's Best Dance Crew contestants Boogie Bots and watching short films.
(As an aside, the blue and gold Peacock Room was shocking from its very beginnings when an English businessman refused to fully compensate American artist James McNeill Whistler for his artistic efforts in decorating the room. After being asked for his advice, Whistler took over the decorating, covering the room with a peacock feather pattern. Proud as a peacock, Whistler painted peacocks fighting over coins in the room's far end and took his leave. The celebrated room was later bought by Charles Lang Freer and he had it re-installed in his Detroit Mansion.)
Further evidence that the Smithsonian is not a stuffy institution is that it is not afraid to reach out and collaborate. Food for this installation of Asia After Dark will come from Bangkok Joe's, Mie N Yu and Asia Nine. The Pink Line Project is also on board to help with activities.
The Pink Line Project gets around DC, promoting the arts and hosts unique events in unusual places--such as a party in a warehouse behind The Big Chair in Southeast. For the Freer's Asia After Dark event, the Pink Line Project is hosting a text-message scavenger hunt.
Tickets are $18 in advance and $20 at the door, and one free drink voucher is included in that price.
The Freer Gallery of Art is located at Jefferson Drive at 12th Street, SW, near the Smithsonian Metro.
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